that was gone

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was gone" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has disappeared or is no longer present, often in a reflective or nostalgic context. Example: "The moment I realized that was gone, a wave of sadness washed over me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Books

Travel

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Soon enough, that was gone.

The New York Times

On Thursday, all that was gone.

The Guardian

Now, suddenly, all that was gone, forgotten.

The Guardian

"All that was gone — community, friends — scattered.

The New York Times

And now, most strangely, all that was gone.

The New Yorker

By the mid-nineteen-eighties, that was gone".

The New Yorker

AKA the pixie that was gone too soon.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

Anyway, that's gone.

Independent

All that is gone now.

The New York Times - Arts

There's a tension that's gone".

Los Angeles Times

Darn, that's gone, too.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was gone" to convey a sense of loss or finality when describing the disappearance or cessation of something. It is effective in both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "that was gone" excessively in contexts where a simpler or more direct statement would be more appropriate. Overuse can lead to a melodramatic tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that was gone" functions as a subject complement, describing the state or condition of the subject after a change has occurred. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Books

10%

Lifestyle

5%

Less common in

Science

2%

Travel

1%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that was gone" is a grammatically sound and widely used phrase to express that something has disappeared or ceased to exist. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as a subject complement, conveying a sense of loss or finality. While versatile in its usage, it's best to avoid overuse in overly dramatic contexts. Alternatives like "that had vanished" or "that no longer existed" can provide nuanced variations. It appears most frequently in News & Media. Remember to use "that was gone" judiciously to maintain clarity and impact in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that had vanished

Replaces "gone" with "vanished", emphasizing a sudden and complete disappearance.

that had disappeared

Substitutes "gone" with "disappeared", suggesting a more gradual or less sudden vanishing.

that no longer existed

Replaces the phrase with a more formal and explicit statement of non-existence.

that had ceased to be

A more literary and emphatic way of saying something no longer exists.

that was lost

Emphasizes the sense of something being irrecoverable or missing.

that was no more

A concise and somewhat poetic way to indicate the end of something.

that had faded away

Suggests a gradual disappearance or decline.

that was extinguished

Implies a forceful or abrupt end, like putting out a flame.

that had dissipated

Conveys a sense of something scattering or dissolving.

that was defunct

Indicates something is no longer functioning or in use.

FAQs

How can I use "that was gone" in a sentence?

You can use "that was gone" to describe something that has disappeared, ceased to exist, or is no longer available. For example, "The excitement I once felt, "that was gone" after the disappointing news".

What are some alternatives to "that was gone"?

Some alternatives include "that had vanished", "that had disappeared", or "that no longer existed", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "that was gone" grammatically correct?

Yes, "that was gone" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is commonly used in both spoken and written language.

What's the difference between "that was gone" and "that is gone"?

"That was gone" implies something disappeared or ceased to exist in the past, while "that is gone" indicates something is currently absent or no longer available.